Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A spirited holiday celebration calls for a fun take-home treat, like this goody bag of candies arranged to resemble the American flag.

Start by partially filling a 2-by-10-inch cellophane bag with blue candies to stand in for stars. Then add red and white candy sticks to mimic stripes. Tie the bag with red waxed twine, and don't be surprised if you catch yourself humming "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I posted this message about the American Flag on ourYoung Women’s Blogyesterday.I found it a couple of years ago and I love it so I decided to share it here too.

I am the flagof the United States of America. I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Todayfifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.
My red stripesproclaim the fearless courage and integrityof American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.
My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.
My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embodyAmericanfreedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people, for the people."
I standguardover my nation's schools, the seedbed ofgood citizenshipand true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honormy birth.Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolizeyour birthright, yourheritage of libertypurchased with blood and sorrow.I am your title deed offreedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold intrustfor posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, youand your children will become slaves to dictatorsand despots.

Eternal vigilance is your priceof freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand:"One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."I was createdin freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.God grant that I may spend eternity in my"land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as"Old Glory,"the flag of the United States of America. ~written by Melanie

This 1776 flag reflects the sentiments of our forefathers: The British Union Jack acknowledged the colonies' origins; the stripes, their emerging independence.Stars and Stripes(Top right)The Flag Resolution of 1777 specified that there should be one star for each state but did not specify configuration. Each flagmaker arranged the stars to his or her liking.

Star-Spangled Banner(Bottom left)Two stars and stripes were added in 1795 in recognition of Vermont and Kentucky. This version inspired the Francis Scott Key poem that became our national anthem.Grand Old Flag(Bottom right)In 1912, President William Taft approved the first detailed standards for flag proportions. This flag, with 48 stars, was official until 1959 -- the longest-flying version.

Never a Dull Moment

About Us........ This blog is about the moments that fill our lives. Honestly, there never is a dull one! Mark and I have been married 36 years and have 5 great kids and 7 adorable grand-kids. We've gone from California to New York and plenty of places in between. We've lived in some great cities including Dallas, Chicago, Memphis and Jacksonville. We love where we've landed in Texas and enjoy living close by, to our two married daughters and their families and my parents who also live in the area. It is always such a treat when we get to see our son, daughter-in law and their cute little boys who reside in Florida. Our younger son, is stationed at Ft. Riley for Advance Infanty Training with the US Army. He is currently deployed in Kuwait. We love his new bride and look forward to every minute we get to spend with her. Our youngest daughter was married in July 2015. She and her husband are living in Provo, Utah while attending BYU.